Pinkins finding his footing at Chipola

When the Chipola Indians make their season debut on Nov. 4 in the Milton H. Johnson Classic, Jackson County basketball fans will see a familiar face on the court in former Marianna Bulldogs star Kruize Pinkins.

However, Pinkins’ face may be all that many fans recognize when he puts on a Chipola uniform for the first time, Indians coach Jake Headrick said Tuesday.

“Obviously a lot of people remember seeing him in high school, but I think a lot of people are going to be amazed by how much better Kruize has gotten in the last six months,” the coach said. “He’s a kid who was a late bloomer, but he has slimmed down, got his body in great shape, and really worked hard every day. I think some days even he is probably a little surprised by where he’s at, but that’s a tribute to him.”

Pinkins said that the transition has been far from easy and has required a different level of commitment than at any time before.

“It’s been real tough,” he said. “It’s much different than high school. It’s a lot more practicing, more team and individual drills. You have to be a lot more responsible and manage your time well. But I think I’ve made some big progress.”

The 6 foot, 7 inch post player said he feels like he is a better, more versatile player all around now.

“I feel like I’m quicker and move better, and I can shoot better from the outside and do more from the perimeter,” he said. “I think I’m a more well-rounded player. That comes from bringing a mindset every day to work hard and get better.”

Headrick said commitment has never been an issue with Pinkins since the day he was signed.

“Ever since the day he told me he was coming to Chipola, Kruize has been all in,” the coach said. “It’s probably not an easy thing for him being at home every day, being in the same place he has grown up. But the biggest thing is he hasn’t shown any sign of distraction since he’s been here.

“He has come with an attitude to get better every day, and that’s why he’ll be successful.”

Pinkins said he knows that he’ll have a lot of local support at Chipola games, but that is not what he is concerned about.

“That’s great and it should be fun, but it’s really no big deal,” he said. “I just want to play ball.”

Headrick said that he wasn’t sure exactly what he was getting with Pinkins on signing day, but his faith in the freshman has been rewarded and then some.

“I knew he was a good player, but I didn’t know how good,” the coach said. “I knew he was a quiet kid, so I was really surprised to see him come in and take a leadership role as a freshman. That’s probably what I’m most proud of. Every day, he comes into the gym ready to work, whether it’s in the weight room, on the court, or in the classroom.

“I think everybody that knows him on campus would have a nice thing to say about him. He has earned my respect and trust with just how hard he has worked here on a daily basis.”

Pinkins will be a key part of a four-man post rotation that Headrick said could be the strength of the team this season.

The former Bulldog said he hopes to make that proclamation come true.

“We’ve got a lot of good big guys, and they all can play,” Pinkins said. “We can’t let coach down. We know what he expects of us, so we’ve got to go out there and defend, rebound, and put points on the board when we get the ball. We just have to set our minds to come out and play hard every game.”